News

PDP Calls For Wechie’s Prosecution …CLO Dissociates Self From Comments …Wechie Bribed To Launder Amaechi’s Image – Wike’s Aide

Published

8 years ago

July 19, 2017

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to arrest and prosecute the leader of Integrity Group, Livingstone Wechie, for lying under oath before the upper chamber against the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Samuel Nwanosike, who made the call in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital while reacting to Wechie’s outburst on a live television programme “Focus Nigeria” on African Independent Television (AIT) in Abuja, said the party was surprised that Wechie, who took an oath before the Senate on October 12, 2015, will reappear on a television programme to eat his words.
Nwanosike challenged Wechie to present facts that the past government did not embezzle state funds.
According to him, “I want to state clearly that from what we have seen today, men who lack integrity and character ought not to be taken seriously. This same Livingstone Wechie swore to an oath in 2015 before Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led committee, that he was not sponsored by anybody, and that anything he had said was based on his investigation.
“The Senate should know that the document he presented to them belongs to him. With the current development, it showed that Wechie lied on oath, and the Senate should summon him.
“If he is being compelled to do what he had just done, then he should be used as an example because he thinks that Nigerians can be taken for a ride. Since he said that the documents were given to him by some people in the Rivers State Government, he should mention those who gave him the document,” Nwanosike said.
He, however, accused Wechie of working for the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, to launder his already maligned image.
Also in reaction to Wechie’s outburst, the South-South Zone of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) dissociated itself from the statements credited to Livingstone Wechie during a live television programme on AIT in Abuja, last Monday.
A statement by the CLO and signed by the Zonal Chairman, Uchegbu Karl Chinedu, said the various wild and scurrilous allegations Wechie bandied about did not represent the position of the CLO.
According to him, ’’We dissociate CLO from the said statements, and take exception to the claims by Wechie.
‘’This claim is just a figment of his imagination, as he was merely appointed a deputy director on publicity as a result of his closeness to the mass media (special assistant to the zonal chair), a position from which he has long been removed. The face of CLO in the South-South zone, as in other zones remains the zonal chairman, while the zonal director or zonal administrative secretary (ZAS), takes charge of the administration of the zonal office’’, the statement noted.
“It would be recalled that Wechie admitted, in his live appearance on a television programme that he told lies, on behalf of his Integrity Group, and not on behalf of CLO. We, therefore, urge the relevant agencies to further investigate these lies and do the needful,” the CLO said.
According to Chinedu, “the CLO stands by the actions and interventions we made in the past as they were made in the interest of the public and the suffering masses.”
He said the CLO has remained resolute in its campaign for enthroning good governance, protecting democracy and human rights, stressing that all its interventions have fallen under these mandates.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, has described the recent claims by President of Integrity Group, Livingstone Wechie, of a non-governmental organisation that the corruption charges against former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi were concocted by the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration, as a cheap blackmail and image laundering for the ex-governor.
Nwakaudu, in a statement, last Monday, shortly after Wechie appeared on Africa Independent Television (AIT)’s ‘Focus Nigeria”, stated that there was no time Wechie acted on behalf of Rivers State Government or the governor since he runs his private organisation.
In his words, “Mr Wechie, himself, on his different television and radio appearances, stated unequivocally that he was not on the sponsorship of the Rivers State Government. With the benefit of hindsight, the interviewers helped to keep everything in the right context. Whatever Livingstone Wechie said on Focus APC is unfounded falsehood. His thoughts on the programme are the baseless concoction of a blackmail trader who hides under the cover of activism”.
Nwakaudu asserted that public should not be deceived with the ploy by former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was working round the clock to launder his image, and of which, Wechie is just one of his recently hired hands.
According to the Rivers State governor’s media aide, Mr Wechie’s action is in reaction of failure of the state governor to use state resources to fund Wechie’s activities, adding that Wike is a transparent leader who will never be drawn into the sponsorship of integrity challenged charlatans under any guise.
He explained that the Wike administration was built on the rule of law, hence, nothing is done outside the prescriptions of the law.
“Long before Governor Wike won elections in 2015, it was public knowledge Amaechi misappropriated fund that accrued to Rivers State. Amaechi on May 27, 2015, declared Rivers State broke, stressing that Wike will have no resources to pay salaries or do projects,” he noted.
The special assistant said the overwhelming evidence of corruption charges against the immediate past administration was affirmed by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the sale of valued assets of the state and which the Minister of Transportation failed to appear before but rather rushed to court.
Unfortunately, he stated that the court had upheld the action of the Rivers State governor to investigate the former administration, stressing that Amaechi’s failure at the Court of Appeal to challenge the constitution of the judicial commission further underscores the sanctity of the action.
He said, “It is imperative to declare that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the sale of valued assets of the state sat in the public. All the documents about the fraud of that administration were circulated in the public domain with journalists writing about the activities of the commission, publishing tendered documents. Nothing was hidden from the people of the state.”
The Chairman of the Rivers State Commission of Inquiry into the sale of Valued State Assets and other related matters, Justice George Omereji informed the governor that the commission received 442 exhibits, 27 memoranda while 25 witnesses testified before it. It confirmed that N53billion was diverted by Amaechi and his officials.
Nwakaudu described Wechie’s claims as “a mindless sponsored act of criminal blackmail”, which reeks of conspiracy to help embattled Amaechi. Otherwise, the EFCC and the ICPC that Livingstone Wechie wrote countless petitions to, ought to arrest him and prosecute him for lying on oath”.
He maintained that the current scheme to paint Wike black will fizzle out like the DSS-sponsored protests in Abuja, where they accused the governor of sponsoring activities to destabilise the Federal Government.
“The Wike administration is built on the mandate freely given by the Rivers people. These winds of mischief can only strengthen it”, he assured.

Kevin Nengia

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor